Cheap Flights from Cape Town to Shanghai from $1,238

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Flight deals from Cape Town to Shanghai

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Cape Town to Shanghai? Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Shanghai.$1,238 per passenger.Departing Sat, 24 Jan, returning Sat, 31 Jan.Return flight with Ethiopian Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Cape Town on Sat, 24 Jan, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sat, 31 Jan, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,238, select.

Shanghai.$1,362 per passenger.Departing Wed, 15 Apr, returning Wed, 6 May.Return flight with Singapore Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Singapore Airlines, departs from Cape Town on Wed, 15 Apr, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Singapore Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Wed, 6 May, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,362, select.

Shanghai.$1,462 per passenger.Departing Fri, 29 May, returning Thu, 27 Aug.Return flight with Ethiopian Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Cape Town on Fri, 29 May, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Thu, 27 Aug, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,462, select.

Shanghai.$1,642 per passenger.Departing Wed, 17 Dec, returning Sat, 10 Jan.Return flight with Ethiopian Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Cape Town on Wed, 17 Dec, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sat, 10 Jan, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,642, select.

Shanghai.$1,674 per passenger.Departing Sat, 13 Dec, returning Sat, 20 Dec.Return flight with Ethiopian Airlines.Outbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Cape Town on Sat, 13 Dec, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Ethiopian Airlines, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sat, 20 Dec, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,674, select.

Shanghai.$1,793 per passenger.Departing Thu, 5 Mar, returning Sat, 14 Mar.Return flight with Emirates.Outbound indirect flight with Emirates, departs from Cape Town on Thu, 5 Mar, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Emirates, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sat, 14 Mar, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,793, select.

Shanghai.$1,963 per passenger.Departing Fri, 20 Mar, returning Sun, 5 Apr.Return flight with Emirates.Outbound indirect flight with Emirates, departs from Cape Town on Fri, 20 Mar, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Emirates, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Sun, 5 Apr, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,963, select.

Shanghai.$7,612 per passenger.Departing Tue, 16 Jun, returning Tue, 30 Jun.Return flight with Condor.Outbound indirect flight with Condor, departs from Cape Town on Tue, 16 Jun, arriving in Shanghai Pudong.Inbound indirect flight with Condor, departs from Shanghai Pudong on Tue, 30 Jun, arriving in Cape Town.Price includes taxes and charges.From $7,612, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Cape Town to Shanghai flights are currently cheapest in January.

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Alternative Cape Town to Shanghai routes

Looking for the cheapest, fastest or easiest route from Cape Town to Shanghai? You could fly into the following airports instead.

Cape Town to Shanghai: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$1,238
Cheapest month to fly	January

Finding cheap flights from Cape Town to Shanghai: Frequently asked questions

How many airports are there in Shanghai?

There are 2 airports in Shanghai: Shanghai Hongqiao and Shanghai Pudong.

How much are return flights from Cape Town to Shanghai?

The best price we found for a return flight from Cape Town to Shanghai is $1,238. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

Which airlines fly direct from Cape Town to Shanghai?

Currently, there are no airlines that fly direct from Cape Town to Shanghai. But we found flights with one or more stops from $1,238.

How many flights are there a week from Cape Town to Shanghai?

As of December 2025, there are no flights flying from Cape Town to Shanghai.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai?

The cheapest month to fly from Cape Town to Shanghai is usually January.

Which is the cheapest airport to fly into in Shanghai?

If you're flying from Cape Town Airport, the cheapest airport near Shanghai is Shanghai Pudong – which is 32.7 km away from the centre of Shanghai. We've found flights into this airport from $1,238.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Cape Town Airport to Shanghai on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Cape Town Airport to Shanghai on Saturday, 24 January 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Cape Town Airport to Shanghai?

No airlines currently offer direct flights between Cape Town Airport and Shanghai. Most routes have one or more stops.

How can I get the best flight deal from Cape Town Airport to Shanghai?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Shanghai but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Shanghai?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Shanghai is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

What’s the weather like in Shanghai?

In December, the average temperature is usually around 9°C. August is typically the warmest month in Shanghai, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in December. The coldest month is January, with temperatures averaging 4°C. The rainiest month is June.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Cape Town Airport to Shanghai with?

Currently, Ethiopian Airlines offers the cheapest flight tickets to Shanghai.

Flying from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Shanghai: what you need to know

Shanghai is six hours ahead of Cape Town, where Cape Town International Airport is located. Shanghai observes the UTC+8 timezone.
Allow plenty of time to make your CPT to Shanghai flight. Generally, it's best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Longer lines at security and check-in are likely if you're travelling during high season, so allow some extra breathing space. A good rule of thumb for peak periods? Arrive up to four hours early for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
We make it a breeze to book flight tickets from CPT to Shanghai with a stopover. To see the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Next, select a flight with a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Top stopovers include:
- Dubai Airport (DXB)
- Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
- Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Central Cape Town to CPT is around 18 kilometres. Depending on traffic conditions, it'll take you about 20 minutes to get there if you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab.
Want an easy start to your travels? Stay near CPT. Whether you're taking an early flight from Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai or just don't like being rushed, these hotels are a convenient choice:
81.65% of flights leaving Cape Town International Airport land at their destination on schedule. Given its strong performance rating, you're unlikely to experience delays when jetting out of CPT.

How to find the cheapest flights from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to Shanghai

The best price we've found for a one-way Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai flight is $782. The cheapest price for a return flight is $1,238. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Booking in advance is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from CPT to Shanghai. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
Finding cheap tickets from Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai is more likely if you're flexible with your travel dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to access the lowest fares across each month and land an epic deal.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from CPT to Shanghai by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare pops up.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'

Airports in Shanghai

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) to central Shanghai takes about 50 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 56 kilometres away.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai. Book one of these accommodation options near PVG instead:
Pick up a Shanghai Pudong International Airport rental car and discover corners of Shanghai that most visitors tend to miss. You can book your wheels with Hertz.
Reserve your vehicle from Shanghai Pudong International Airport at least a few weeks ahead of your flight from CPT to Shanghai. If you're going away during peak season, book even earlier to secure the best deal.
PVG is located at No.300 Qihang Road.

Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)

Once your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai has arrived, you can make your way to the city centre in around 20 minutes by car. Central Shanghai is roughly 14 kilometres from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA).
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to SHA. Here are a few options where you can take a load off after your CPT to Shanghai flight:
Line up the perfect playlist and hit the open road in a Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hertz and start exploring right away.
In general, the sooner you book, the bigger the savings and variety of vehicles. Secure your ride from SHA as soon as your plans are confirmed.
The address for Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 700 Yingbin 1st Rd.

Best time to go to Shanghai

Carefully consider your dates before booking your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai. The city comes alive during peak season, but hotel rates are usually higher and top attractions can get crowded. Visit Shanghai in the off-season if you like a more relaxed vibe.
The warmest month in Shanghai is August, with temperatures ranging between 23ºC and 34ºC. Book your Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai flight ticket then if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
January has average temperatures of between -1ºC and 10ºC. Look for a cheap ticket from CPT to Shanghai around that time if you want to travel in cooler conditions.

More about Shanghai

When it comes to looking for somewhere to rest your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Shanghai right here. Explore these options after locking in your flight from Cape Town International Airport to Shanghai:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Yu Garden, The Bund Sightseeing Avenue and Shanghai Tower are major attractions which should feature on any good Shanghai itinerary.

Explore more of China

You've done Shanghai, now it's time to discover more of China. Travel around 274 kilometres west to Nanjing to tick off its popular sights. From Nanjing City Wall to Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall and Xuanwu Lake, there's plenty to keep you on the go.
If you're eager to discover another corner of China, consider Puyang, roughly 241 kilometres south-west of Shanghai. Denggao Lansheng Building, Baozhang Yougu Scenic Area and 元宝山探险乐园 are highlights.